Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn speaks during a protest against proposed coal trains that would pass through Seattle on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at Seattle's Golden Garden's Park.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn speaks during a protest against proposed...

A rare show of City Hall unity: Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle City Councilors speak during a scoping meeting about the proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal north of Bellingham. The proposed terminal would be the largest coal export port in North America and would fuel power plants in China. statement.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A rare show of City Hall unity: Mayor Mike McGinn and...

Opposition to coal ports has been a popular issue for Mayor McGinn. Over 2,300 people showed up for a scoping hearing last december, including a salmon and a polar bear puppet created by The Backbone Campaign.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Opposition to coal ports has been a popular issue for Mayor...

Ferndale Mayor Gary Jensen, center right, supports the giant proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal, located just west of his Whatcom County city. Mayor Mike McGinn of Seattle is helping lead the opposition.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Alison Longley and Doug Skove hoist a salmon puppet as opponents gather in Freeway Park for a rally before a scoping meeting about the proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal north of Bellingham. Such critics as the Lummi Indians fear impact on salmon runs.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Alison Longley and Doug Skove hoist a salmon puppet as opponents...

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn waits to speak during a scoping meeting about the proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal. McGinn fears local impacts of coal trains on Seattle waterfront, and the climate impacts of fueling power plants in China. China is the world's greatest emitter of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO